Multisection conveyor having adjustable elbow between adjacent conveyor sections

ABSTRACT

A multisection chain-flite conveyor for moving communited material such as cattle feed has an adjustable elbow between the juxtaposed ends of two conveyor sections to enable relative vertical pivotal adjusting movement between the two sections. Each conveyor section comprises a supporting framework and a bed mounted thereon and sprockets are located at the remote ends of the multisection conveyor for supporting an endless chain arranged alongside the beds which has spaced apart flites attached thereto. The elbow comprises two pivotably interconnected elbow sections, each attached to the inner end of a conveyor section, and each elbow section comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart side plates joined together by a cross brace which also serves to support one end of its associated conveyor bed. The two elbow sections are relatively pivotable about a horizontal upper pivot shaft. A horizontal lower shaft is mounted between the side plates of one of the elbow sections below the upper shaft. Upper and lower chain guide rollers are rotatably mounted on the upper and lower shafts, respectively, and the upper and lower sides of the chain ride on the upper sides of the upper and lower rollers, respectively. A curved flite guide is mounted over the hub of the lower roller to prevent interference with the flites on the lower side of the chain. Overlapping tilt shields connected to the cross braces of the two elbow sections bridge the gap between the juxtaposed ends of the conveyor section beds. The upper roller rotates on the upper pivot shaft and thus prevents ear on the tilt shields.

United States Patent [191 3,828,916

Patz Aug. 13, 1974 MULTISECTION CONVEYOR HAVING movement between the twosections. Each conveyor ADJUSTABLE ELBOW BETWEEN section comprises asupporting framework and a bed ADJACENT CONVEYOR SECTIONS mountedthereon and sprockets are located at the remote ends of the multisectionconveyor for supporting [76] Inventor Paul Patz Pound an endless chainarranged alongside the beds which [22] Filed: Sept. 26, 1973 has spacedapart flites attached thereto. The elbow comprises two pivotablyinterconnected elbow sec- [211 App! 400885 tions, each attached to theinner end of a conveyor section, and each elbow section comprises a pairof [52] US. Cl 198/115, 198/171, 198/204 l r lly spaced apart sideplates joined together by a [51] Int. Cl. 365g 21/12 cross brace whichalso serves to support one end of its [58] Field of Search 198/115, 171,204 associated onveyor bed. The two elbow sections are relativelypivotable about a horizontal upper pivot [56] References Cited shaft. Ahorizontal lower shaft is mounted between the UNITED STATES PATENTS sideplates of one of the elbow sections below the upper shaft. Upper andlower chain guide rollers are iii-Z3133? Z1353llfiiligiiiiiiiii1111::11311313111111: 133252 rotatably mounted on theupper andlower shafts,

2,632,556 3/1953 Alpers et al. 198/115 sPectwely, and the PPP and lowersldes of the Cham 3,297,146 l/l967 Munger et al. 198/204 011 the uppersldes 0f the pp and lower rollers,

3,365,053 l/l968 Brill l98/l7l sp t ly- A urved flite guide is mountedover the hub of the lower roller to prevent interference with PrimaryExaminer-Richard A. Schacher the flites on the lower side of the chain.Overlapping Assistant ExaminerRichard K, Thomso tilt shields connectedto the cross braces of the two Attorney, Agent, or Firm ]ames E, Nineselbow sections bridge the gap between the juxtaposed ends of theconveyor section beds. The upper roller [57] ABSTRACT rotates on theupper pivot shaft and thus prevents ear A multisection chain-fliteconveyor for moving cornon the Shleldsmunited material such as cattlefeed has an adjustable elbow between the juxtaposed ends of two conveyorsections to enable relative vertical pivotal adjusting 15 Claims, 20Drawing Figures t l 216 27o ll 33 20A 8:52 t. I 50 l\ l 226 103 628 a rfly 34 Ql l Q2 PATENIED AUG] 3 I974 sum 02 or 11 r PAIENTEB mm a 91.4

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MULTISECTION CONVEYOR HAVING I ADJUSTABLE ELBOW BETWEEN ADJACENTCONVEYOR SECTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Use Thisinvention relates generally to chain-flite conveyors, such as are usedin agriculture, to move comminuted material, such as feed or silage,from one location to another. In particular, it relates to multi-sectionchain-flite conveyors having adjustable elbow means for connecting thejuxtaposed ends of adjacent sections to permit those sections to bepositioned in a desired angular relationship with respect to each other.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is common practice in agriculture toemploy chainflite conveyors to move feed or silage from one location toanother, as from a silo to'a cattle feeding bunk. Because physicalconditions, building arrangements and special requirements on farmsvary, some chain-flite conveyors are designed and manufactured so thatbasic and various optional components can be assembled in variouscombinations to provide a customized conveyor suitable for particularneeds. Typically, the basic components of such a chain-flite conveyorcomprise a supporting framework, a bed supported on the framework, asprocket-supported chain'flite assembly for moving material along theconveyor bed, and drive means including an electric motor for drivingthe chain-flite assembly. Optional components may include mounts orhangers for the framework, a hopper for the fill-end of the conveyor, aspout for the discharge end of the conveyor, bed covers and so forth.

Furthermore, in some such conveyors the supporting framework and bedtake the form of modular sections which can be rigidly secured togetherdirectly in endto-end relationship to provide a conveyor of desiredlength. To further increase versatility, conveyor elbow assemblies ofvarious angular size are provided for rigid interconnection between theends of adjacent conveyor sections to enable them to be positioned in adesired angular relationship with respect to each other. For example, bymeans of an elbow of appropriate angular size one section could bedisposed horizontally (or sloped upwardly) and another section could besloped downwardly from either end thereof. Such elbows permit customizedconveyor installations and are especially useful in conveyors which mustextend over obstructions, such as walls, fences or the like. However,since each elbow has a specific angular configuration, extremelyaccurate layout of a proposed installation is required and, even then, aselection of differently sized elbows and trial and error fitting issometimes necessary. Furthermore, once a particular elbow is selected,rearrangement or relocation of the conveyor is seldom possible unlessone or more elbows of another size are available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln accordance with the present invention thereis provided a multi-section chain-flite conveyor having an adjustableelbow for connecting the juxtaposed ends of two adjacent conveyorsections to permit them to be adjustably positioned in a desired angularrelationship with respect to each other about a horizontal axis withinthe design limits of the adjustable elbow. The invention isadvantageously employed in a conveyor wherein one upwardly slopedsection supplies feed to the end of an adjacent section having a taperedbed and which is horizontally mounted above a cattle feeding bunk intowhich feed is evenly dispensed from the tapered bed.

Each conveyor section comprises a rigid supporting framework upon whichthe bed is mounted. The conveyor employs a chain-flite assemblycomprising a single endless flexible chain which extends the entirelength of the multi-section conveyor along one side of the beds and isreeved around sprockets rotatably mounted near the outer or remote endsof the conveyor. One of the sprockets is driven by an electric motor.Flites attached to the chain at spaced apart intervals there along andextending transversely of the conveyor bed pass above and below the bedas the chain moves. The flites passing along the upper surface of thebed move the material along the bed when the chain is in motion.

The adjustable elbow comprises two pivotally interconnected elbowsections, ends of which is rigidly con nected to the inner end of oneconveyor section. Each elbow section comprises a pair of laterallyspaced apart side plates which are rigidly interconnected by a crossbrace which also affords support for an end of the bed of the associatedconveyor section. A horizontal upper shaft extends through holes in theside plates of the two elbow sections and serves as a pivot shaft aboutwhich the two elbow sections (and attached U-shaped bed sections) areadjustably pivotable. A horizontal lower shaft is connected between theside plates of one elbow section below the upper shaft. Upper and lowerchain guide rollers are rotatably mounted on the upper and lower shafts,respectively, near one end thereof. The upper and lower sides of thechain ride on the upper side of the upper and lower chain guide rollers,respectively. A curved flite guide shield is located between the sideplates supporting the lower shaft and is disposed above the lower rollerhub to prevent interference with the flites being moved by the chain.Overlapping tilt shields are connected to the cross braces on the twoelbow sections to bridge the gap between the adjacent ends of the bedson the juxtaposed conveyor sections. The upper roller rotates on theupper pivot shaft and is extended above the shields to hold the chainabove the shields and thus prevent wear on the tilt shields and of thechain.

The adjustable elbow enables two conveyor sections to be connectedtogether in such a way that one conveyor section may be disposed in ahorizontal plane, for example, and the other conveyor section may beplaced in a sloped relationship with respect thereto. Thus, a conveyorhaving an elbow in accordance with the invention may be readily mountedover walls or other obstructions and can be easily adjusted, withindesign limits, to suit particular conditions. An elbow in accordancewith the invention is especially well-suited for use in chain-fliteconveyors and the guide rollers facilitate chain-flite movement from oneplane to another. The overlapping tilt shields prevent or limit feedfrom falling through the gap between the ends of the bottom beds, yet donot interfere with relative movement between the elbow sections. Anadjustable elbow in accordance with the invention is relatively easy andeconomical to manufacture and install and is reliable in operation.Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view (taken from the left side) of acattle feed bunk and a conveyor therefor having an adjustable elbow inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the conveyor shown in FIG. 1 with portionsomitted to show interior details;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, with portions broken away, ofthe idler sprocket assembly at the right end of the conveyor shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the drive sprocketassembly and drive means therefor at the left end of the conveyor shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the drive sprocket assembly anddrive means shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the top and right side of theadjustable elbow shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom and right side ofthe adjustable elbow shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the left side of the elbow shown inFIGS. 1, 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view from the left side of the elbow shown inFIG. 1] taken on line 12l2 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the elbow taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the elbow taken on line 1414 of FIG.12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the adjustable hopper-leveler assemblyfor the conveyor showing the leveler in a lowered operating position;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but showing the leveler in raisedposition;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the adjustable hopper-levelerassembly;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the adjustable hopperleveler assembly;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-section view taken on line 1919 of FIG. 17;and

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front elevation view of the idler sprocket shownin FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT General Arrangement Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown an elongated cattle feeding trough or feed bunk10 which is supported above ground by a plurality of spaced apart framemembers 11 each of which includes a cross bar 12. One section 14A of anelongated conveyor 14 in accordance with the invention is supported overbunk 10, being rigidly attached to the cross bars 12 of the framemembers 11 by adjustable support brackets 15. Another section 14B ofconveyor 14 is shown as sloping downwardly over a wall W and is locatedadjacent two silos S1 and S2. The section 14B of conveyor 14 comprises apair of adjustable hopper and feed levelers (hereinafter referred to ashopper-levelers) 16, each located beneath a chute on the silos S1 and S2and cattle feed in the form of grain or silage can be supplied to eitheror both hopper-levelers 16 as required. As hereinafter explained indetail, conveyor 14 operates in such a manner that feed supplied tosection 14A thereof by section 14B is distributed evenly along theentire length of bunk 10. It may be assumed for purposes of illustrationthat bunk 10 and section 14A of conveyor 14 are co-extensive and thateach is about 50 feed long, whereas section 14B of the conveyor is about30 feet long.

Generally considered, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, section 14Aof conveyor 14 comprises a rigid support framework 18 on which a taperedbed 20A, a chain-flite assembly 22, drive means 23 for driving thechain-flite assembly, and a cover 24 are mounted. Section 14B ofconveyor 14 also comprises a rigid supporting framework 18 on which anuntapered bed 20B, the chain-flite assembly 22, a cover 24, and the twohopper-levelers 16 are mounted. For convenience and versatility, thesupporting framework 18 and cover 24 in each section may be constructedin short interconnectable lengths so as to enable fabrication of aconveyor 14 of any desired length. As FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show, thesupporting framework 18 of each section 14A and 148 comprises a pair ofspaced apart sides 30 and 31 which are rigidly joined together atintervals therealong cross braces 32. The tapered bed 20A of section 14Aextends toward the remote end of conveyor 14 from its opposite endwhereat feed is deposited by section 14B. Chain-flite assembly 32employs a single endless expandable link type chain 33 which extendssubstantially along the entire length of conveyor 14 and alongside thetapered edge of bed 20A of section 14A. Chain 33 is provided with flites34 which are rigidly attached thereto at spaced apart intervalstherealong and extend transversely of bed 20. Chain 33 is supported sothat the flites 34 on the upper side of the chain slide along the uppersurface of bed 20 and toward the remote end of conveyor 14 and theflites 34 on the lower side of the chain travel in the reverse directionbeneath the bed as the chain is moved. Chain 33 is supported by sprocketassemblies 40 and 42 which are located at opposite ends of conveyor 14,i.e., at the outer ends of the sections 14B and 14A, respectively.Sprocket assembly 40 comprises an idler sprocket 44 about which chain 33is reeved. Sprocket assembly comprises a driven sprocket 46 about whichchain 33 is reeved. Drive means 23, including an electric motor 45, areassociated with sprocket assembly 42 and drive the driven sprocket 46 soas to move chain 33 and the flites 34 thereon in the abovementioneddirection. A manually operable motor control in the form of apush-button switch 48 is provided for motor 45 to enable the operator tostart and stop the motor. As hereinafter described, each hopper-leveler16 com prises means to deposit feed on bed 203 and also has feed levelermeans on one end thereof to level the feed being moved toward section MAby chain-flite assembly 22.

In operation, feed is supplied to either or both hopper-levelers 16 fromthe silos S1 and S2. Feed is deposited from hopper-leveler 16 onto bed203 of section 14B and then is moved therealong by the flites to bed 20Aof the other section 14A. Feed is then distributed along the entirelength of bunk 10 from tapered bed 20A.

In accordance with the present invention there is pro vided anadjustable elbow 200 for connecting the juxtaposed ends of the twoadjacent conveyor sections 14A and 14B to permit those sections to beadjustably positioned in a desired angular relationship vertically withrespect to each other and about a horizontal axis.

The adjustable elbow 200 comprises two pivotally interconnected elbowsections 201 and 202 each of which is rigidly connected tothe inner endof one conveyor 14B and 14A, respectively. Elbow section 201 (connectedto section 14B). comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart side plates205 which are rigidly interconnected by a cross brace 206, which bracealso affords support for an end of the bed of the associated conveyorsection 14B.Elbow section 202 (connected to section 14A) comprises apair of laterally spaced apart side plates 207 which are rigidlyinterconnected by a cross brace 208, which brace also affords supportfor an end of the bed of the associated conveyor section 14A. Ahorizontal upper shaft 211 extends through holes in the side plates ofthe two elbow sections 201 and 202 and serves as a pivot shaft aboutwhich the two elbow sections (and attached conveyor sections) areadjustably pivotable. A horizontal lower shaft 214 is connected betweenthe side plates of elbow section 201 below the upper shaft 211. Upperand lower chain guide rollers 216 and 220, respectively, are rotatablymounted on the upper and lower shafts 211 and 214, respectively, nearone end thereof. The upper and lower sides of the chain 33 ride on theupper sides of the upper and lower chain guide rollers 216 and 220,respectively. A curved flite guide shield 222 is located between theside plates 205 supporting the lower shaft 214 and is disposed above thelatter shaft to prevent interference with the flites 34 being moved bythe chain 33. Overlapping tilt shields 226 and 228 are connected to thecross braces 206 and 208, respectively, on the two elbow sections tobridge the gap between the ends of the beds on the juxtaposedconveyorsections.

The Supporting Framework The supporting framework 18 serves as the basicsup port for all stationaryand movable components forming conveyor 14and also serves as the means by which section 14A is supported orsuspended over bunk 10. As hereinbefore mentioned the supportingframework 18 of each section 14A and 14B is constructed of modular,interconnectable components, sections or units such as 14C in FIG. 1. Inthe embodiment shown, several such units 14C are employed in section 14Aand five in section 14B. The supporting framework 18 in each section 14Aand 14B comprises a pairof spaced apart sides and 31 which are rigidlyjoined together at intervals therealong by cross braces 32 and 32a. Eachside 30 and 31 comprises a side member 50 in the form of a channelshaped length of sheet metal which has a stiffening or strengtheningmember 51 in the form of a length of angle iron welded along the loweredge thereof. Vertically disposed coupling members 52 are welded to theoutside of channel member 50 near the ends thereof to enable twoadjacent sections such as 14A to be secured directly together inend-to-end relationship as by bolts 55 or to the elbow 200. Side 30 ofsupporting framework 18 is provided with a chain support member 56 whichtakes the form of alength of angle iron which is welded to the insidesurface of side member 50. As FIG. 4 shows, bracket members 57 arerigidly secured where necessary along the sides of 30, 31 (or at theends of a section) and are part of or connected to the brackets 15 whichsupport section 14A. The cross braces 32 take the form of tubularmembers which are rigidly secured as by welding to support brackets 58which themselves are secured to the interior sides of the side members50 by bolts 59. The cross braces 32a are welded directly to the sidemembers 50. Covers 24 for each section 14A or 14b take the form of oneor more lengths of curved or upwardly bowed sheet metal which aresecured to the upper flanges of the side members 50 by bolts 60.

The Conveyor Beds Section 14B of conveyor 14 comprises a rectangular bed20B and section 14A comprises a tapered bed 20A. The tapered bed 20Aextends toward the remote end of conveyor 14 from the opposite endwhereat feed is supplied by section 143. The beds 20A and 20B may bemade of sheet plywood or other materials cut to appropriate size and bed20A is cut at a suitable angle. The beds 20A and 20B rest on the crossbraces 32 and 32a of supporting framework 18 and are rigidly secured tobraces 22 by brackets 62 and screws 63, as FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show. Toincrease the working life of bed 20 and to facilitate movement of theflites 34 and feed along the upper bed surface, the upper bed surfacesmay be treated with an anti-friction coating, preferably in the form ofa plastic coating, which is painted thereon and allowed to dry duringmanufacture of the bed. It should be noted that the chain is disposedalong the tapered edge of the bed 20A (and above and below both beds 20Aand 20B) and that the straight edge of each bed abutts the insidesurface of the associated channel member 50 so that feed is unable tofall from the straight edge.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, although atriangularly shaped tapered bed 20A is disclosed and described in detailthroughout the specification in connection with the preferredembodiment, bed sections of a shape other than triangular areencompassed by the term tapered. For example, any bed section having anoperative width or widths of generally decreasing dimension in thedirection in which the cooperating flites move, and defining an edge oredges from which material may fall, such as a step-shaped bed section, aslotted bed section and a curve-edged bed section are each to beconsidered a tapered bed section for purposes of this specification.Similarly, a perforated bed section is to be considered as within thescope of the present invention.

Sprocket Assembly As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, the idler sprocket assembly 40located at one end of conveyor 14 comprises idler sprocket 44 aboutwhich chain 33 is reeved. Idler sprocket 44 is rotatably mounted on andnear one end of an idler sprocket shaft which has its ends sup ported onsupport blades 71 which are rigidly attached to the coupling members 52at the end of conveyor 14. A collar 72 having a set screw maintainssprocket 44 in proper position on shaft 70 and spacer washers aredisposed between the sprocket and a support bracket 71. Shaft 70 issecured in place by a pin 69 which extends through the shaft and acollar 68 on the shaft. A cover 73 is provided for sprocket assembly 40and is detachably secured to the end of conveyor 14 by bolts 74.

As FIGS. 4 through 8 show, the drive sprocket assembly 42 located at theother end of conveyor 14 comprises a chain drive sprocket 46 which isrigidly secured, as by a set screw 80, near one end of and is rotatablewith a drive shaft 81 which has its ends journaled for rotation inanti-friction bearings 82 which are mounted in pillow blocks 83. Eachpillow block 83 is rigidly secured to one end of a channel-shapedadjustable support member 85 which is provided with slots 86 forreceiving bolts 87 to secure member 85 to the outside of the channelmember 50. Loosening of the bolts 87 permits both members 85 to beslidably moved forward or rearward to maintain the proper amount ofslack in chain 33. The construction and arrangement of the members 85also facilitates attachment or detachment of chain 33 during assembly ordisassambly of conveyor 14. A set screw 89 for locating and holdingmember 85 in a precise location bears against the rear end of member 85and is in threaded engagement with and extends through a threaded holein the forwardly facing flange of a member 90 which is welded to theoutside of channel member 50. An adjusting nut 91 is provided on the setscrew.

Each member 85 has an upwardly extending motor support plate 93 rigidlysecured thereto as by welding and motor mount bars 94 are rigidlyconnected between the plates as by bolts 95. Motor 45 is adjustablysecured to the bars 94 by bolts 96.

A cover 98 is provided for sprocket assembly 42 and is detachablysecured to the end of the feeder conveyor by bolts 99. One end of driveshaft 81 extends through its bearing 82 to a point outwardly of a sideof conveyor 14 and a relatively large driven roller chain sprocket 100is rigidly secured to the shaft.

The Chain-Flite Assembly As FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show, the chain-fliteassembly 32 comprises a single endless link type chain 33 which extendssubstantially along the entire length of conveyor 14 alongside one edgeof bed 20. The chain 33 comprises individual generally U-shaped links102 and adjacent links are flexibly interconnected. Chain 33 is providedwith the flites 34 which are rigidly attached to the chain at spacedapart intervals therealong and extend transversely of bed 20. Each flite34 takes the form of a flat rectangular piece of metal which has one endwelded to an associated link 102 and a generally triangularly shapedgusset 103 is welded between each flite and its associated link tostrengthen the connection. Chain 33 is reeved around the sprockets 44and 46 and the upper side of the chain slides along chain support member56. Those flites 34 on the upper side of the chain slide along the uppersurface of bed and those flites on the lower side of the chain travelbeneath the bed as the chain is moved.

The Adjustable Elbow As FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 show, thereis provided an adjustable elbow 200 in accordance with the presentinvention for connecting the juxtaposed ends of the two adjacentconveyor sections 14A and 143 to permit those sections be be adjustablypositioned in a desired angular relationship vertically with respect toeach other and about a horizontal axis.

The adjustable elbow 200 comprises two pivotally interconnected elbowsections 201 and 202 each of which is rigidly connected to the inner endof one conveyorsection 14B and 14A, respectively, or by bolts 103. Elbowsection 201 (connected to section 14B) comprises a pair of laterallyspaced apart side plates 205, fabricated from sheet metal, which arerigidly interconnected by a cross brace 206, in the form of an angleiron welded therebetween. Brace 206 is provided with a smaller angleiron 204 which is welded thereto and affords support for an end of thebed 20B of the associated conveyor section 14B which rests thereon andis secured thereto by bolts 63. Elbow section 202 (connected to section14A) comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart sheet metal side plates207 which overlap the plates 205 and which are rigidly interconnected inthe form of an angle iron welded therebetween. Brace 208 is providedwith a smaller angle iron 209 which is welded thereto and affordssupport for an end of the bed 20A of the associated conveyor section 14Awhich rests thereon and is secured thereto by bolts 63.

A horizontal upper shaft 211 extends through holes 215 in the sideplates of the two elbow sections 201 and 202 and serves as a pivot shaftabout which the two elbow sections (and attached conveyor sections) areadjustably pivotable. As FIG. 14 best shows, shaft 211 is securedagainst axial and rotational movement at one end by a collar 230 whichis welded to the outer surface of one side plate 207 and has set screws231 and 232 which tighten against shaft 211. Upper chain guide roller216 is rotatably mounted on shaft 211 and is secured against axialmovement thereon by a collar 240, having a set screw 241, which issecured on shaft 211. Collar 240 bears against the inner side of the hubof roller 216 and spacer or shim washers 243 and a bushing 233 aremounted on shaft 211 between the outer side of the hub of roller 216 andthe inner surface of wall 205. The elbow sections 210 and 202 arepivotably movable with respect to each other about shaft 211 and theroller 216 is rotatable on shaft 211.

A horizontal lower shaft 214 extends through holes 250 in the sideplates 205 of elbow section 201 and is connected therebetween below theupper shaft 211, As FIG. 14 best shows, shaft 214 is secured againstaxial and rotational movement at one end by a collar 2S1 which is weldedto tighten the outer surface of one side plate 205 and has set screws252 and 253 which tighten against shaft 214. Lower chain guide roller220 is rotatably mounted on shaft 241 and is secured against axialmovement thereon by a collar 260, having a set screw 261, which issecured on shaft 214. Collar 260 bears against the inner side of the hubof roller 220 and spaceror shim washers 263 and a bushing 255 aremounted on shaft 214 between the outer side of the hub of roller 220 andthe inner surface of wall 205. R01- ler 220 is rotatable on shaft 214.The upper and lower sides of the chain 33 ride on the upper sides of theupper and lower chain guide rollers 216 and 220, respectively. The links102 of chain 33 are constructed so as to enable a portion of the rollers216 and 220 to extend between the spaced apart sides of the links. Acurved flite guide shield 222 is located on the side plate 205, whichplate supports the lower shaft 214. The shield is disposed above thelatter shaft to prevent interference with the flites 34 being moved bythe chain 33 below bed 20. Overlapping tilt shields 226 and 228 areconnected to the cross braces 206 and 208, respectween the ends of thebottom beds on the juxtaposed conveyor sections. Shield 226 in theembodiment shown takes the form of the integrally formed projecting sideof an angle iron member 206. Shield 228 takes the form of a curvedmember secured as by welding to the upper and lower projecting edges ofangle iron member 208. Shield 228 is of sufficient length so as toextend beneath shield 226 in all operative positions of elbow 200. Theshields 226 and 228 are slotted as at 270 to accommodate the upper sideof chain guide roller 216.

It should be noted that the upper shaft 211 and the lower shaft 214 areboth affixed to elbow section 201 and, as a consequence, never changetheir relative distance or position with respect to each other. The sameholds true for the chain guide rollers 216 and 220 mounted for rotationon the shafts 211 and 214, respectively. Thus, as the conveyor sections14A and 14B are pivotably moved with respect to each other about theaxis of upper shaft 21 1, the chain 33 still maintains a constant orfixed distance between its upper and lower sides. As a result, there isno substantial change in the distance between upper shaft 211 and eitheridler shaft 70 at one end of conveyor 14 or driven shaft 81 at the otherend of the conveyor. Therefore, there is no binding of chain 33 as theconveyor sections are movably adjusted. Since chain 33 is made up oflinks which are relatively movable or adjustable with respect to eachother, relative movement of the conveyor sections about the axis ofshaft 211 results in the links on one side of the chain sliding togetherand in effect shortens that side of the chain, whereas the links on theother side of the chain tend to pull apart to the fullest extentpossible. However, this condition is only observable when the chain isstationary. During movement of the chain when the conveyor is operating,certain links in the chain are always under tension because of theaction of the sprockets.

The Drive Assembly As FIGS. 4 through 8 show, electric motor 45, which,for example, is a two horse-power single-phase motor of a conventionaltype, is rigidly mounted on the motor mount bars 94 above the remote endof section 14A of conveyor 14. The shaft 105 of motor 45 is providedwith a relatively small pulley 106 which is secured thereto by a setscrew 107. A V-belt 108 is reeved around pulley 106 and also around arelatively larger pulley or sheave 110 which is rigidly connected as bywelding tO a relatively small sprocket 115 and both are rotatable onbushings 116 on an intermediate stub shaft 112 which is stationarilymounted on a support 113 on the side 30 of feeder conveyor 14. A collar109 having a set screw 111 is disposed on the end of shaft 112 tomaintain the sheave 110 on the shaft. A roller chain 120 is reevedaround sprocket 115 and around the larger sprocket 100. An adjustablymovable idler sprocket 124 is rotatably mounted on a bracket 121provided on member 85 on supporting framework 18 and engages the upperside of roller chain 120. Idler sprocket 124 is adjustably movable, asby loosening bolt 123, to adjust the tension of roller chain 120.

Motor 45 is supplied with electrical power from a suitable sourcethrough an electrical cable 130 and is controlled for operation in onedirection by control means, including a conventional on-off push-buttonswitch 48. Switch 48 is mounted on the motor 45, as shown, so as to bereadily accessible to the person operating the conveyor 14, but could belocated in some other convenient or desirable location. The V-belt 108and roller chain of drive assembly 23 and the associated pulleys andsprockets are provided with a protective cover 132, as shown in FIG. 1.

The Adjustable I-Iopper-Leveler Assembly The drivable chain-fliteassembly 22 of conveyor 14 is capable of conveying and distributing feedfrom either or both adjustable hopper-levelers 16. Each hopper-leveler16 receives feed from its associated silo S1 and S2, deposits it on bed208 of section 14B, and levels the feed as it is moved or transportedfrom beneath the hopper toward conveyor section 14A by the flites 34.Each hopper-leveler 16 is mounted on top of supporting framework 18 ofsection 14B and cover 24 is omitted in these regions.

As FIGS. 15 through 19 show, each adjustable hopper-leveler 16 comprisesa pair of spaced apart stationary upright end walls to which generallyL-shaped mounting brackets 152 are secured by bolts 154. The brackets152 are attached to conveyor section 148 by bolts 155. The end walls 150may be rigidified by two rigid bars 169 which extend therebetween andare secured thereto by bolts 185. A pair of spaced apart generallyupright, but inwardly and outwardly pivotably movable side walls 157 aremounted between the pair of end walls 150, as by bolts 159 which extendthrough holes in the end wall and through holes in inwardly turned sideflanges 160 along the side edges of the side walls. Each side wall 157is independently positionable with respect to the other so as to adjustthe bottom spacing therebetween and, thereby, the direction of feedbeing deposited from hopper-leveler 16 onto bed 208. More specifically,adjustably swinging and locating both movable side walls 157 in the samedirection to a desired position has the effect of directing the feedflow laterally on the conveyor to a desired part of bed 203. Eachmovable side wall 157 is provided on its outside surface (and near itsend edges) with a pair of L- shaped brackets 164 which are weldedthereto. A flat positioner bar 163 is pivotally connected at its innerend by means of a bolt 165 to a bracket 164. Each positioner bar 163 isprovided with a series of spaced apart holes 168 therethrough. Each hole168 in a positioner bar 163 is engageable by a bolt 168a which extendsthrough holes in an end wall 150 and in an associated bracket 152. Thus,with the bolts 168a removed, each side wall 157 can be moved to anappropriate position and then rigidly secured in place therein byinsertion of the associated bolts 168a through the appropriate holes 168in the positioner bars 163 for that side wall.

If preferred, each positioner bar 163 can take the form of an L-shapedmember having an elongated hole or slot instead of a series of spacedapart holes 168 for engagement by bolt 168. In such case, the positionerbar need not be pivotally connected, as by brackets 164, to a side wall157 but need only bear thereagainst to maintain the side wall inadjusted position i.e., to prevent the wall from swinging outwardly.

A feed leveler is provided at one end of each hopper-leveler 16 and ispivotably connected thereto. Each leveler 180 comprises a leveler member181 in the form of a piece of rigid sheet metal having a generally flatupper portion 181A, a downwardly depending intermediate portion 1818,and an upwardly extending end portion 181C. Portions 1818 and 181Ccooperate to define a leveling edge 181D along the underside of theleveler 180. Upper portion 181A is provided at the edge thereof closestto the associated hopper end wall 150 with a pivot shaft or bar 183which is welded thereto and has its ends journaled in hinges 184 whichare rigidly secured by bolts 185 to the bracket 152 at the associatedend wall 150. Each leveler member 181 has a support bar 190 which isrigidly secured as by welding to the undersurface of intermediateportion 181B and which extends sufficiently far beyond each side thereofso as to be able to rest on the top edges of the sides 30 and 31 ofconveyor section 14B. When a leveler 180 is in working position,leveling edge 181D is positioned a very small distance above the flitespassing therebeneath, as FIG. 11 shows. Thus, if a mound of feed isbeing moved along by a flite 34 beneath the edge 181D, the top of themound is scraped back into the space ahead of the next oncoming flite34. This spreads the feed across the width of the bed to assure the evendistribution of feed along the length of the bunk. Each leveler 180 ismovable between its operating position wherein it is supported justabove the flites 34 and a raised position, as shown in FIG. 10, wherebylimited access to the interior of conveyor section 14B is afforded tothe operator. The levelers 180 also serve as a protective cover for thatportion of bed 208 which is not provided with a conventional cover 24.

Operation Assume initially that conveyor 14 is not in operation and thatno feed is being supplied to either hopperleveler 16 from the silos S1or S2. Further assume that the movable side walls 157 of eachhopper-leveler 16 have been adjusted or placed in a desired position bythe operator and that the levelers 180 are down and in operatingposition. The operator then actuates switch 48 to cause motor 45 torotate and move the chain-flite assembly 22 in the desired direction.After this, the operator actuates or opens the chute on either or bothsilos S1 and S2 to continuously supply feed to either or bothhopper-levelers l6. Feed is deposited from hopper-leveler 16 onto bed Bof conveyor section 14B and is moved by the flites 34 on the upper sideof chain 33 from beneath the hopper-leveler 16 toward the end of theconveyor section 14A along bed 208 of section 148. As feed is moved bythe flites 34 beneath edge 181D of the operative leveler 180, levelingof the feed occurs as hereinbefore described. As the flites 34 continueto move feed onto and along tapered bed section 20A of section 14A, feedspills off the tapered edge of bed 20A and into bunk 10 and is evenlydistributed along the bunk. When a sufficient amount of feedhas beenevenly distributed in bunk 10, the operator closes the silo chutes sothat feed is no longer supplied to the hopper-levelers 16, and when allfeed deposited on conveyor 14 has been distributed to the bunk 10 theoperator turns off motor 45 of conveyor 14 by means of switch 48. Theaforedescribed cycle of operation may be repeated as often as necessaryto fill bunk 10.

I claim:

1. In a conveyor: a pair of conveyor sections disposed in end-to-endrelationship and each comprising a bed section which is of generalU-shape in cross section and having a bed, each bed section having achain sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent its end remote from the otherbed section, a movable endless flexible chain reeved around saidsprockets and movable lengthwise in said bed sections; a plurality offlites attached at spaced apart intervals along said chain and extendingtransversely to said bed sections, the flites on the upper side of saidchain being above said beds and the flites on the lower side of saidchain being below said beds; and an adjustable elbow connected betweenthe juxtaposed ends of said conveyor sections to enable relative pivotalmovement between said conveyor sections, said elbow comprising; a pairof elbow sections, each elbow section being connected to an end of aconveyor section; pivot shaft means for pivotally connecting said pairof elbow sections; a rotatable upper chain guide roller mounted on saidpivot shaft means and having an upper side extending above said bed andon which roller the upper side of said chain rides; a rotatable lowerchain guide roller mounted on one of said elbow sections below saidupper chain guide roller and having an upper side on which the lowerside of said chain rides; and tilt shield means on said elbow locatedabove said pivot shaft and below the upper side of said chain andextending between the juxtaposed ends of said bed sections to bridge thegap therebetween.

2. A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein each elbow section comprisesa pair of laterally spaced apart side walls and wherein said pivot shaftmeans comprises a single pivot shaft which is connected between saidside walls.

3. A conveyor according to claim 2 including a second shaft connectedbetween the side walls of one of said elbow sections and wherein saidlower chain guide roller is mounted on said second shaft.

4. A conveyor according to claim 3 wherein said tilt shield meanscomprises a pair of overlapping members, each member being connected toone elbow section.

5. A conveyor according to claim 4 wherein each member of said tiltshield means extends between the spaced side walls of its associatedelbow section, and wherein each said member is provided with a slotaccommodating the upper side of said upper chain guide roller.

6. A conveyor according to claim 4 including flite guide means connectedto one elbow section above a portion of said second shaft and below thepath of movement of the flites on the lower side of said chain.

7. A conveyor according to claim 3 including a bracing member extendingbetween the side walls of each elbow section, said bracing memberserving as a support for the end of the bed section in its associatedconveyor section.

8. In a conveyor: a pair of conveyor sections disposed in end-to-endrelationship and each comprising a sup porting framework includingspaced apart side walls, a bed section disposed between said side wallsand a chain sprocket mounted on said framework; said bed sections beingof generally U-shaped in cross section and having a bottom bed, amovable endless flexible chain reeved around said sprockets andextending lengthwise of said conveyor along one lateral side of said bedsections; a plurality of flites attached at spaced apart intervals alongsaid chain and extending transversely to said bed sections, the fliteson the upper side of said chain being above said bottom beds; and anadjustable elbow connected between the juxtaposed ends of said conveyorsections to enable relative pivotal movement between said conveyorsections, said elbow comprising: a pair of elbow sections, each elbowsection comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls; eachelbow section being connected to an end of a conveyor section; a pivotshaft for pivotally connecting the side walls of said pair of elbowsections; a rotatable upper chain guide roller mounted on said pivotshaft and having an upper side extending above said bottom beds and onwhich roller the upper side of said chain rides; a second shaftconnected between the side walls of one of said elbow sections belowsaid upper chain guide roller; a rotatable lower chain guide rollermounted on said second shaft and having an upper side on which the lowerside of said chain rides; and tilt shield means comprising a pair ofoverlapping members, each member being connected to one elbow sectionabove said pivot shaft and below the upper side of said chain andextending between the spaced side walls of its associated elbow section,each said member being provided with a slot for accommodating the upperside of said upper chain guide roller, said tilt shield means extendingbetween the juxtaposed ends of said bed sections of said conveyorsections bridge the gap therebetween.

9. A conveyor according to claim 8 including a bracing member extendingbetween the side walls of each elbow section, said bracing memberserving as a support for the end of the bed section in its associatedconveyor section.

10. A conveyor according to claim 9 wherein one of said bed sectionsextends between and abuts the side walls of the supporting framework ofits associated conveyor section, and wherein the other of said bedsections is tapered and has one edge abutting one side wall of thesupporting framework of its associated conveyor section.

11. An adjustable elbow for a conveyor comprising: a pair of elbowsections; a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting said pair of elbowsections; an upper chain guide roller mounted on said pivot shaft; alower chain guide roller mounted on one of said elbow sections belowsaid upper chain guide roller; tilt shield means mounted on at least oneelbow section and extending above said pivot shaft, said upper rollerextending above said shield means.

12. An adjustable elbow according to claim 11 wherein each elbow sectioncomprises: a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls between whichsaid pivot shaft extends, and a second shaft extending between the sidewalls of one of said elbow sections and upon which said lower chainguide roller is mounted.

13. An adjustable elbow according to claim 12 wherein said tilt shieldmeans comprises a pair of overlapping members, each member beingconnected to one elbow section.

14. An adjustable elbow according to claim 13 wherein each elbow sectioncomprises a bracing member extending between the side walls thereof, andwherein each overlapping member of said tilt shield means is connectedto its associated bracing member.

15. An adjustable elbow member according to claim 13 wherein saidoverlapping members define cut-out portions to accommodate said upperchain guide roller.

1. In a conveyor: a pair of conveyor sections disposed in endto-endrelationship and each comprising a bed section which is of generalU-shape in cross section and having a bed, each bed section having achain sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent its end remote from the otherbed section, a movable endless flexible chain reeved around saidsprockets and movable lengthwise in said bed sections; a plurality offlites attached at spaced apart intervals along said chain and extendingtransversely to said bed sections, the flites on the upper side of saidchain being above said beds and the flites on the lower side of saidchain being below said beds; and an adjustable elbow connected betweenthe juxtaposed ends of said conveyor sections to enable relative pivotalmovement between said conveyor sections, said elbow comprising; a pairof eLbow sections, each elbow section being connected to an end of aconveyor section; pivot shaft means for pivotally connecting said pairof elbow sections; a rotatable upper chain guide roller mounted on saidpivot shaft means and having an upper side extending above said bed andon which roller the upper side of said chain rides; a rotatable lowerchain guide roller mounted on one of said elbow sections below saidupper chain guide roller and having an upper side on which the lowerside of said chain rides; and tilt shield means on said elbow locatedabove said pivot shaft and below the upper side of said chain andextending between the juxtaposed ends of said bed sections to bridge thegap therebetween.
 2. A conveyor according to claim 1 wherein each elbowsection comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls andwherein said pivot shaft means comprises a single pivot shaft which isconnected between said side walls.
 3. A conveyor according to claim 2including a second shaft connected between the side walls of one of saidelbow sections and wherein said lower chain guide roller is mounted onsaid second shaft.
 4. A conveyor according to claim 3 wherein said tiltshield means comprises a pair of overlapping members, each member beingconnected to one elbow section.
 5. A conveyor according to claim 4wherein each member of said tilt shield means extends between the spacedside walls of its associated elbow section, and wherein each said memberis provided with a slot accommodating the upper side of said upper chainguide roller.
 6. A conveyor according to claim 4 including flite guidemeans connected to one elbow section above a portion of said secondshaft and below the path of movement of the flites on the lower side ofsaid chain.
 7. A conveyor according to claim 3 including a bracingmember extending between the side walls of each elbow section, saidbracing member serving as a support for the end of the bed section inits associated conveyor section.
 8. In a conveyor: a pair of conveyorsections disposed in end-to-end relationship and each comprising asupporting framework including spaced apart side walls, a bed sectiondisposed between said side walls and a chain sprocket mounted on saidframework; said bed sections being of generally U-shaped in crosssection and having a bottom bed, a movable endless flexible chain reevedaround said sprockets and extending lengthwise of said conveyor alongone lateral side of said bed sections; a plurality of flites attached atspaced apart intervals along said chain and extending transversely tosaid bed sections, the flites on the upper side of said chain beingabove said bottom beds; and an adjustable elbow connected between thejuxtaposed ends of said conveyor sections to enable relative pivotalmovement between said conveyor sections, said elbow comprising: a pairof elbow sections, each elbow section comprising a pair of laterallyspaced apart side walls; each elbow section being connected to an end ofa conveyor section; a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the sidewalls of said pair of elbow sections; a rotatable upper chain guideroller mounted on said pivot shaft and having an upper side extendingabove said bottom beds and on which roller the upper side of said chainrides; a second shaft connected between the side walls of one of saidelbow sections below said upper chain guide roller; a rotatable lowerchain guide roller mounted on said second shaft and having an upper sideon which the lower side of said chain rides; and tilt shield meanscomprising a pair of overlapping members, each member being connected toone elbow section above said pivot shaft and below the upper side ofsaid chain and extending between the spaced side walls of its associatedelbow section, each said member being provided with a slot foraccommodating the upper side of said upper chain guide roller, said tiltshield means extending between the juxtaposed ends of said bed sectionsof said conveyor sections bridge the gAp therebetween.
 9. A conveyoraccording to claim 8 including a bracing member extending between theside walls of each elbow section, said bracing member serving as asupport for the end of the bed section in its associated conveyorsection.
 10. A conveyor according to claim 9 wherein one of said bedsections extends between and abuts the side walls of the supportingframework of its associated conveyor section, and wherein the other ofsaid bed sections is tapered and has one edge abutting one side wall ofthe supporting framework of its associated conveyor section.
 11. Anadjustable elbow for a conveyor comprising: a pair of elbow sections; apivot shaft for pivotally connecting said pair of elbow sections; anupper chain guide roller mounted on said pivot shaft; a lower chainguide roller mounted on one of said elbow sections below said upperchain guide roller; tilt shield means mounted on at least one elbowsection and extending above said pivot shaft, said upper rollerextending above said shield means.
 12. An adjustable elbow according toclaim 11 wherein each elbow section comprises: a pair of laterallyspaced apart side walls between which said pivot shaft extends, and asecond shaft extending between the side walls of one of said elbowsections and upon which said lower chain guide roller is mounted.
 13. Anadjustable elbow according to claim 12 wherein said tilt shield meanscomprises a pair of overlapping members, each member being connected toone elbow section.
 14. An adjustable elbow according to claim 13 whereineach elbow section comprises a bracing member extending between the sidewalls thereof, and wherein each overlapping member of said tilt shieldmeans is connected to its associated bracing member.
 15. An adjustableelbow member according to claim 13 wherein said overlapping membersdefine cut-out portions to accommodate said upper chain guide roller.